Wow, I can't believe I've been back for two weeks...it feels like way longer. This afternoon we had my graduation party and I got to see lots of people!! People from my past I haven't seen for ages, people it feels like I just saw...and now begins a summer of catching up with friends before leaving for Nyack on Labor Day Weekend.
One of the struggles of being back has been trying to figure out how to incorporate changes, lessons learned, and experiences from Gabon into my life here in the States. I knew before I returned that I didn't want to be the same person or handle situations like I would have before I left. But when life is the same as when you left it, it's hard to come back and start "leading a new life". God has reminded me again and again, though, that I don't have to figure that all out. He has given me this experience, and He is just as much guiding me here in the USA as He was in Gabon. So I'm not sure what else to do but love Him, love others...I learned a lot about love in Gabon. :)
Speaking of which, even here am still being affected by that love. Leanne encouraged her newsletter readers to read this passage below and I would like to share it with ya'll:
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. - 1 John 4:7-21
When people here ask me about the thing that stood out most about my time in Africa, I talk about the love that I received and the community I was a part of. Not only learning to love and being loved by people of another culture (with a different language!) but also the people I lived with in the Envision center...who loved me even though they were not obligated to. Learning that love is not an obligation and that when it comes from Christ...oh what a beautiful thing.
Until my next trip to Gabon (Lord willing!) I will probably only be ocasionally updating this blog with little random bits and pieces...feel free to check out my regular blog for other updates on my life...hopefully as interesting as Gabon!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bonjour -- Stateside!
I AM FREEZING!!!
Not kidding. I have been wearing pants, socks, long-sleeves, and sweaters since being back in Colorado, not to mention my winter coat and gloves when I go outside. A few times I've been tempted to turn up the heat...or just get a room heater for my room. Last night I turned on the humidifier, it's just so dry!
So I got back to the States safe and sound on Monday night. My flights were fairly uneventful...on the flight from Chicago to Co Springs there was some seating confusion and there was a German couple sitting in my row, the wife in my seat. I tried asking her where her seat was but she spoke no English, so then I started to speak French to her without even thinking about it!
So I was walking through the Chicago airport and as I passed this one lady, she looked at me and smiled! You know what I did? A little jig. Hooplah! So then I decided to see how many people I could get to smile at me if I smiled at them (don't worry, I chose my victims with wisdom). I love that Americans will smile back, but unlike the Africans, their eyes only hold yours until it's "uncomfortable". Then they look away.
I am planning on writing more later about how I've been digesting being back...I don't really want to try and dig through it all on my second day. I do just want to say that I am so glad to be spending time with my family here! Well, at least with my parents (my sister disappeared the day after I got back...oh the fun social lives of high schoolers!). Got to see a few friends, but it's been nice having a few days to just chill. Graduation parties are coming up, dance, lots of fun things...but first let me recover from jet lag!
Leanne, Hannah...I miss you guys like crazy. So thankful for the "conversation" we had my last morning. Dan and Alicia, have a wonderful time Stateside! Hope your first team experience was AWESOME and LEGIT! Fellowship Alliance Chapel team, I still talk about you all, even to my family here! Very excited to visit your church this year. Other interns (Shannon, Robert, Reinette), my experience wouldn't have been the same without ya'll. I love love love meeting other young people with a heart for the world and service. Alace and Steve, you and your family are such an encouragement! It was such a privilege to get to know a family like you who is obeying God even when it isn't easy. (not going to lie, I am praying you guys come to the States Joey's senior year!).
To all my readers, family, friends--ya'll rock! It has been such a blessing to have people who are interested enough to read about my experiences. Your comments, e-mails, and even just the readership stats have been so heart-warming. And if reading my or other blogs has made you interested in Gabon, either giving or serving, please don't hesitate to further inquire about what you can do! E-mail me at freaky.tea.sipper@gmail.com and I will point you in the right direction.
Below are some pictures from my last week or two. Uploading stuff is SO my faster here in America so I will be sharing more stuff over the weeks to come. A youtube channel with videos is on its way!
Some of the wonderful boys at Hope House
Chouchou, baby Anne, et moi! (chouchou is the daughter of our house-cleaning neighbor, Mama Justine)
Jill (a visiting nurse--she's getting married in July, yay!), me, and Sam Straw playing our last game of Settlers of Catan. If you come to Libreville, you can expect Sam or me (if I'm there) to ask if you like this game!! And if you do, be prepared to pull late-night Settlers stints! Mwuahaha...
Front row: Jill, Alace, me, Hannah, Leanne Back row: Sam, Jean-Romain, Eric Bill, Steve
My wonderful sisters Leanne and Hannah
Not kidding. I have been wearing pants, socks, long-sleeves, and sweaters since being back in Colorado, not to mention my winter coat and gloves when I go outside. A few times I've been tempted to turn up the heat...or just get a room heater for my room. Last night I turned on the humidifier, it's just so dry!
So I got back to the States safe and sound on Monday night. My flights were fairly uneventful...on the flight from Chicago to Co Springs there was some seating confusion and there was a German couple sitting in my row, the wife in my seat. I tried asking her where her seat was but she spoke no English, so then I started to speak French to her without even thinking about it!
So I was walking through the Chicago airport and as I passed this one lady, she looked at me and smiled! You know what I did? A little jig. Hooplah! So then I decided to see how many people I could get to smile at me if I smiled at them (don't worry, I chose my victims with wisdom). I love that Americans will smile back, but unlike the Africans, their eyes only hold yours until it's "uncomfortable". Then they look away.
I am planning on writing more later about how I've been digesting being back...I don't really want to try and dig through it all on my second day. I do just want to say that I am so glad to be spending time with my family here! Well, at least with my parents (my sister disappeared the day after I got back...oh the fun social lives of high schoolers!). Got to see a few friends, but it's been nice having a few days to just chill. Graduation parties are coming up, dance, lots of fun things...but first let me recover from jet lag!
Leanne, Hannah...I miss you guys like crazy. So thankful for the "conversation" we had my last morning. Dan and Alicia, have a wonderful time Stateside! Hope your first team experience was AWESOME and LEGIT! Fellowship Alliance Chapel team, I still talk about you all, even to my family here! Very excited to visit your church this year. Other interns (Shannon, Robert, Reinette), my experience wouldn't have been the same without ya'll. I love love love meeting other young people with a heart for the world and service. Alace and Steve, you and your family are such an encouragement! It was such a privilege to get to know a family like you who is obeying God even when it isn't easy. (not going to lie, I am praying you guys come to the States Joey's senior year!).
To all my readers, family, friends--ya'll rock! It has been such a blessing to have people who are interested enough to read about my experiences. Your comments, e-mails, and even just the readership stats have been so heart-warming. And if reading my or other blogs has made you interested in Gabon, either giving or serving, please don't hesitate to further inquire about what you can do! E-mail me at freaky.tea.sipper@gmail.com and I will point you in the right direction.
Below are some pictures from my last week or two. Uploading stuff is SO my faster here in America so I will be sharing more stuff over the weeks to come. A youtube channel with videos is on its way!
Some of the wonderful boys at Hope House
Chouchou, baby Anne, et moi! (chouchou is the daughter of our house-cleaning neighbor, Mama Justine)
Jill (a visiting nurse--she's getting married in July, yay!), me, and Sam Straw playing our last game of Settlers of Catan. If you come to Libreville, you can expect Sam or me (if I'm there) to ask if you like this game!! And if you do, be prepared to pull late-night Settlers stints! Mwuahaha...
Front row: Jill, Alace, me, Hannah, Leanne Back row: Sam, Jean-Romain, Eric Bill, Steve
My wonderful sisters Leanne and Hannah
Friday, May 20, 2011
Caravan, Craisins, and Cookies (in no particular order)
Why did I have to come all the way to Africa to discover how delicious Craisins are?? Definitely buying a bag when I get back to the States!
Cookies: Super 2's. Pumpkin chocolate chip. Bananookies. I have been nicknamed The Cookie Monster as I most definitely eat more cookies than I should, something hard to hide from my house mates.
These past two days I had a wonderful experience with the OSPAC gang--a medical caravan! Ok, double bonus: an overnight medical caravan. And let me tell you, this was hardcore jungle caravaning. Sliding around on a muddy road, attempting to show the Jesus Film, giving testimonies by flash light, bathing in a jungle creek...oh, and you could play connect-the-dots with the bafoodoo bites on my arms and legs.
We began the adventure bright and early Thursday morning. It was about a 4-hour drive to the village where we set up our first clinic. When we arrived there were about 30 people gathered under a tree outside of the little wooden church. After some prayer and presentation we set up the consultations and pharmacy on top of our big tupper-wear containers. It took about 2 or 3 hours to finish consulting all the people who had been waiting. From there we drove on for another hour to a house where we were to stay the night.
The rest of the day was spent jungle-bathing (seriously, went with the Mamas to a natural creek where they proceeded to bathe, I just kinda waded), eating yummy Gabonese food, then going back to the village where we had done consultations. By the light of flashlights we set up a projector to show the Jesus Film, but due to rain and bizarre "technical" (we are in Africa, remember) were not able to show it. So Jill (a visiting nurse) gave her testimony and Mama Jeanine made her and me sing a song. I apologized before we proceeded to sing through the Doxology as quickly as possible (neither of us are singers).
When we got back to the house, Jill and I proceeded to kill a huge spider in our bedroom. Then we went out to use the out-house, but apparently not informing Mama Jeanine that we were doing so was a mistake. There I was on the pot in the dark, rain pounding on the tin roof, when I hear this wailing, "OLIVIAAAA!!!!! OLIVIA!!!" Oh gosh, I thought, there's the search and rescue party. We had been gone all of four minutes...as Jill said, "I'm glad we can't be gone five minutes without someone noticing." Needless to say, in the middle of the jungle on a dark, stormy night everyone is safe with the Mama search and rescue party!
Today we spent the morning doing consultations at the house. A man from Nigeria came in who spoke more English than French...it was weird speaking English to him! Around noon we packed up the cars and proceeded on our long trip back...with a mixture of muddy roads, stops to buy plantane bananas, and a bad traffic jam we got back to Libreville around th dinner hour. And now, although I should be packing, Leanne and I are watching our movie--"Breakfast at Tiffany's"! Tomorrow and Sunday are packed full, so I am not anticipating getting on the computer until I am State-side again.
Although there will be many tears on Sunday night, I'm sure that this isn't the end of the journey. I have a wonderful family here, as well as a wonderful family in Colorado who I am excited to share my stories with. The Lord has shown again and again that He has plans for me in the USA...I'm waiting to see how the summer unfolds. Mostly just engaging in communion with Him, community with others, sharing and hearing stories...
Love love love to you all,
Olivia
Cookies: Super 2's. Pumpkin chocolate chip. Bananookies. I have been nicknamed The Cookie Monster as I most definitely eat more cookies than I should, something hard to hide from my house mates.
These past two days I had a wonderful experience with the OSPAC gang--a medical caravan! Ok, double bonus: an overnight medical caravan. And let me tell you, this was hardcore jungle caravaning. Sliding around on a muddy road, attempting to show the Jesus Film, giving testimonies by flash light, bathing in a jungle creek...oh, and you could play connect-the-dots with the bafoodoo bites on my arms and legs.
We began the adventure bright and early Thursday morning. It was about a 4-hour drive to the village where we set up our first clinic. When we arrived there were about 30 people gathered under a tree outside of the little wooden church. After some prayer and presentation we set up the consultations and pharmacy on top of our big tupper-wear containers. It took about 2 or 3 hours to finish consulting all the people who had been waiting. From there we drove on for another hour to a house where we were to stay the night.
The rest of the day was spent jungle-bathing (seriously, went with the Mamas to a natural creek where they proceeded to bathe, I just kinda waded), eating yummy Gabonese food, then going back to the village where we had done consultations. By the light of flashlights we set up a projector to show the Jesus Film, but due to rain and bizarre "technical" (we are in Africa, remember) were not able to show it. So Jill (a visiting nurse) gave her testimony and Mama Jeanine made her and me sing a song. I apologized before we proceeded to sing through the Doxology as quickly as possible (neither of us are singers).
When we got back to the house, Jill and I proceeded to kill a huge spider in our bedroom. Then we went out to use the out-house, but apparently not informing Mama Jeanine that we were doing so was a mistake. There I was on the pot in the dark, rain pounding on the tin roof, when I hear this wailing, "OLIVIAAAA!!!!! OLIVIA!!!" Oh gosh, I thought, there's the search and rescue party. We had been gone all of four minutes...as Jill said, "I'm glad we can't be gone five minutes without someone noticing." Needless to say, in the middle of the jungle on a dark, stormy night everyone is safe with the Mama search and rescue party!
Today we spent the morning doing consultations at the house. A man from Nigeria came in who spoke more English than French...it was weird speaking English to him! Around noon we packed up the cars and proceeded on our long trip back...with a mixture of muddy roads, stops to buy plantane bananas, and a bad traffic jam we got back to Libreville around th dinner hour. And now, although I should be packing, Leanne and I are watching our movie--"Breakfast at Tiffany's"! Tomorrow and Sunday are packed full, so I am not anticipating getting on the computer until I am State-side again.
Although there will be many tears on Sunday night, I'm sure that this isn't the end of the journey. I have a wonderful family here, as well as a wonderful family in Colorado who I am excited to share my stories with. The Lord has shown again and again that He has plans for me in the USA...I'm waiting to see how the summer unfolds. Mostly just engaging in communion with Him, community with others, sharing and hearing stories...
Love love love to you all,
Olivia
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Only two weeks left here in Gabon and I am still seeing new parts and aspects of Africa every day. First off (just so I don't end the post on a melancholy note) I'm going to start out by doing a little "end of the journey" shpeel now. I've decided that I do not want to further depress myself when leaving by most likely crying all over my computer my last night in Gabon while typing up a "I'm leaving" post (yes Mom, I know that was an atrociously long sentence). Truth is, I'm going to miss it here, as can be expected of anyone with similar experiences. I've not only experienced living in a community of family in Christ (missionaries, Gabonese, my housemates) but I have gotten to also live day-to-day life in another culture. I have experience the family of Christ (and the love that should be present in that family) with people used to a way of life so different from mine. But oh how I love so many aspects of their way of life! Time isn't pressing, dancing in church is normal, sitting after dinner and singing together...
But! There are so many reasons that I should be filled with joy as I leave this place and go back to the States. One, I have been so blessed and been given so much love from being here. And yes, I may be leaving that but I do know that if God ever calls me back to Gabon that love will still be here! Secondly, I have so many adventures ahead of me this year and in the years to come. My Lord has shown me so many times that He has His hand in my life, instigating, guiding, initiating, holding. And not to mention just getting to go back to Colorado to see my wonderful family, great friends, grandparents, not to mention drinking my first cup of milk in 3 and a half months...
As I write that, though, I think about my past week, which has been full of experiences with children. Last Saturday morning I went with Shannon, Leanne, and Sam Straw to Hope House for a few hours. Mama Nathalie (their "Mama") had us cut up loaves of bread and butter them, as it was early and the kids hadn't had breakfast yet. We also made them "cafe", which sounds yum but is really just Nido (powdered milk) with hot water and sugar cubes. As Hannah says, we here at the Envision center, "Treat Nido like dirt!" but to these children it is a wonderful treat. (So I'll just stick with regular milk and let them have the Nido--more for them!).
Today for church we went to Avea I, the church where the Hope House Papa, Pastor Israel, is the senior pastor. As we walked up to the church all of our Hope House kids came pouring out of the door, smothering us in hugs, their smiles big enough to melt hearts of ice. I think to myself, "Why do they love us so much?? All we do is play clapping games with them, give them crayons and paper, and twirl them around in circles." The level of contentment that these children have just astounds me. And I realize that spending hours playing with them is such a blessing to me. I can't even understand what they say to me, but I see so much in their eyes. I see joy, pain, love, rejection, fear...have you ever stopped to really look into someone's eyes? And not necessarily when they are looking into yours, but at a moment when they don't realize anyone is observing them. I think you can see a whole other level, something so deeper than the surface.
"The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yesterday our house team split up into two groups--the new interns, Robert and Reinette, went with Shannon to Hope House while Leanne, Hannah, and I went to a medical clinic conference thing for children. I'm not really sure what to call it because I'm not really sure what it was...and I don't even want to try and explain what I think was going on or who was involved or what was happening--big picture-wise, that is. What the three of us ended up doing was getting in a car with one of the pastors and driving to an orphanage in a part of LBV I hadn't been to before. Judging from a little table in a corner with candles, flowers, and a statue of Mary (the mother of Jesus) I am guessing it is a Catholic orphanage. Several other pastors and workers from the clinic had come in other cars, one of which was full of boxes and bags of food. We unloaded about 1/3 of the food and piled it in the main room of the orphanage. For about 20 minutes we prayed, the pastors spoke, took pictures, and the children sang a song for us. Then we all piled back into our cars and started driving to another orphanage! Up until that point, though, I didn't realize exactly what we were doing. So it turns out that we visited 3 orphanages, giving them food, words of encouragement, spending a little time with the kids...what was really cool was that every orphanage was different from the other.
Et Jesus dit: "Laissez les petits enfants, et ne les empechez pas de venir a moi; car le royaume des cieux est pour ceux qui leur ressemblent. - Matthieu 19:14
The second orphanage we visited was located in a little community area that ran along a long, dirt road. We parked our cars on a main road and had to carry everything down this hill to the house, which was located at the bottom of this big, long hill. All of the children were sitting out on a porch in front of the house, and I noticed that a majority of these kids were under the age of 10. There were also two wheel-chairs on the porch, each holding a child with either a mental or physical disability. One of them was a little girl who's body was deformed and crippled, her head abnormally large, but her smile and eyes (yes, eyes again) were...precious. If an angel had the face of a child, it would have hers. We followed the same procedure at that place but with a bit more interaction with the children. As we prepared to leave, one little girl shyly tapped my leg and asked (in French), "Can I touch your hair?" She then lightly stroked just few hairs on my forehead. Three months ago did I imagine that a little African girl would ask to touch my hair??
Could you imagine a little African girl asking to touch your hair?
The third orphanage we went to was government-run and more like a boarding school/compound than the homes where the other two (as well as Hope House) were. We also learned that this is more of a traditional orphanage where they try to find homes for the children, as opposed to shelter where most of the kids live permanently (again, like Hope House). Again, the same presentation except no children were present...I guess they were all in school? I'm not really sure, but it was a big compound so they might have all been in one of the buildings. At that point there were only 20 kids at the center, I believe.
I love kids. Sometimes kids even love me. Hey, I even had someone here speak a word of prophecy over me that I will be working with children in the future (awesome!! does that vision include cute little African kids or...?). I just want to know, how can little people so innocent and precious squeeze your heart tight with feelings of helplessness, inadequacy, and selfishness? I buttered bread for 30 kids, the same breakfast they get every day, only hours after complaining of having nothing in the house to eat...besides yogurt. And granola. And eggs. And who knows what else. I have stood in front of my closet here and gotten frustrated that I have worn and re-worn every piece of clothing that I brought with me, while I think I have only ever seen some of these children in one or two different outfits. Yet beyond material guilts like this, these children...their hugs, little gifts of plastic flowers, their desire to just sit next to you--all of this puts my ability to express love to shame. I realize how tightly and closely I guard my heart to spare myself pain. Yet I feel little Grace's hand hold tightly onto mine, or sweet Josue squeeze me in a tight hug, propelling themselves into a deep infatuation with their American "playmates", all the while knowing that at some point we will pack up. We'll get on an airplane and fly away, maybe never coming back. So many teams, interns, and missionaries have done so over the years. Yet they still love us. And you remember when I talked about being so blessed by their love? If they held it back, stayed in the corner, reservedly accepted our gifts, offered their hands instead of their hugs, then I would never have any reason to tear up from an overflowing heart!
God has commanded us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven like little children. So I ask myself, how can I truly be like a little child? Perhaps I could start off by loving like one. Not being afraid to love, to offer a hug, to jump into someone's arms. Even if I only spend 3 months with that person, loving them like Jesus loves me if anything could be more of a blessing to them than a pain to my own heart.
Does that make any sense?
I don't mean to be preachy, or to make anyone feel guilty. I deal with a touchy subject...one that I think every person just has to wrestle with themselves. With open hearts to what God wants to teach us...through His word, through others, through our experiences, I think we can learn so much. So look at the eyes, take time to just sit and think...
Happy Mother's day :)
Olivia
But! There are so many reasons that I should be filled with joy as I leave this place and go back to the States. One, I have been so blessed and been given so much love from being here. And yes, I may be leaving that but I do know that if God ever calls me back to Gabon that love will still be here! Secondly, I have so many adventures ahead of me this year and in the years to come. My Lord has shown me so many times that He has His hand in my life, instigating, guiding, initiating, holding. And not to mention just getting to go back to Colorado to see my wonderful family, great friends, grandparents, not to mention drinking my first cup of milk in 3 and a half months...
As I write that, though, I think about my past week, which has been full of experiences with children. Last Saturday morning I went with Shannon, Leanne, and Sam Straw to Hope House for a few hours. Mama Nathalie (their "Mama") had us cut up loaves of bread and butter them, as it was early and the kids hadn't had breakfast yet. We also made them "cafe", which sounds yum but is really just Nido (powdered milk) with hot water and sugar cubes. As Hannah says, we here at the Envision center, "Treat Nido like dirt!" but to these children it is a wonderful treat. (So I'll just stick with regular milk and let them have the Nido--more for them!).
Today for church we went to Avea I, the church where the Hope House Papa, Pastor Israel, is the senior pastor. As we walked up to the church all of our Hope House kids came pouring out of the door, smothering us in hugs, their smiles big enough to melt hearts of ice. I think to myself, "Why do they love us so much?? All we do is play clapping games with them, give them crayons and paper, and twirl them around in circles." The level of contentment that these children have just astounds me. And I realize that spending hours playing with them is such a blessing to me. I can't even understand what they say to me, but I see so much in their eyes. I see joy, pain, love, rejection, fear...have you ever stopped to really look into someone's eyes? And not necessarily when they are looking into yours, but at a moment when they don't realize anyone is observing them. I think you can see a whole other level, something so deeper than the surface.
"The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yesterday our house team split up into two groups--the new interns, Robert and Reinette, went with Shannon to Hope House while Leanne, Hannah, and I went to a medical clinic conference thing for children. I'm not really sure what to call it because I'm not really sure what it was...and I don't even want to try and explain what I think was going on or who was involved or what was happening--big picture-wise, that is. What the three of us ended up doing was getting in a car with one of the pastors and driving to an orphanage in a part of LBV I hadn't been to before. Judging from a little table in a corner with candles, flowers, and a statue of Mary (the mother of Jesus) I am guessing it is a Catholic orphanage. Several other pastors and workers from the clinic had come in other cars, one of which was full of boxes and bags of food. We unloaded about 1/3 of the food and piled it in the main room of the orphanage. For about 20 minutes we prayed, the pastors spoke, took pictures, and the children sang a song for us. Then we all piled back into our cars and started driving to another orphanage! Up until that point, though, I didn't realize exactly what we were doing. So it turns out that we visited 3 orphanages, giving them food, words of encouragement, spending a little time with the kids...what was really cool was that every orphanage was different from the other.
Et Jesus dit: "Laissez les petits enfants, et ne les empechez pas de venir a moi; car le royaume des cieux est pour ceux qui leur ressemblent. - Matthieu 19:14
The second orphanage we visited was located in a little community area that ran along a long, dirt road. We parked our cars on a main road and had to carry everything down this hill to the house, which was located at the bottom of this big, long hill. All of the children were sitting out on a porch in front of the house, and I noticed that a majority of these kids were under the age of 10. There were also two wheel-chairs on the porch, each holding a child with either a mental or physical disability. One of them was a little girl who's body was deformed and crippled, her head abnormally large, but her smile and eyes (yes, eyes again) were...precious. If an angel had the face of a child, it would have hers. We followed the same procedure at that place but with a bit more interaction with the children. As we prepared to leave, one little girl shyly tapped my leg and asked (in French), "Can I touch your hair?" She then lightly stroked just few hairs on my forehead. Three months ago did I imagine that a little African girl would ask to touch my hair??
Could you imagine a little African girl asking to touch your hair?
The third orphanage we went to was government-run and more like a boarding school/compound than the homes where the other two (as well as Hope House) were. We also learned that this is more of a traditional orphanage where they try to find homes for the children, as opposed to shelter where most of the kids live permanently (again, like Hope House). Again, the same presentation except no children were present...I guess they were all in school? I'm not really sure, but it was a big compound so they might have all been in one of the buildings. At that point there were only 20 kids at the center, I believe.
I love kids. Sometimes kids even love me. Hey, I even had someone here speak a word of prophecy over me that I will be working with children in the future (awesome!! does that vision include cute little African kids or...?). I just want to know, how can little people so innocent and precious squeeze your heart tight with feelings of helplessness, inadequacy, and selfishness? I buttered bread for 30 kids, the same breakfast they get every day, only hours after complaining of having nothing in the house to eat...besides yogurt. And granola. And eggs. And who knows what else. I have stood in front of my closet here and gotten frustrated that I have worn and re-worn every piece of clothing that I brought with me, while I think I have only ever seen some of these children in one or two different outfits. Yet beyond material guilts like this, these children...their hugs, little gifts of plastic flowers, their desire to just sit next to you--all of this puts my ability to express love to shame. I realize how tightly and closely I guard my heart to spare myself pain. Yet I feel little Grace's hand hold tightly onto mine, or sweet Josue squeeze me in a tight hug, propelling themselves into a deep infatuation with their American "playmates", all the while knowing that at some point we will pack up. We'll get on an airplane and fly away, maybe never coming back. So many teams, interns, and missionaries have done so over the years. Yet they still love us. And you remember when I talked about being so blessed by their love? If they held it back, stayed in the corner, reservedly accepted our gifts, offered their hands instead of their hugs, then I would never have any reason to tear up from an overflowing heart!
God has commanded us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven like little children. So I ask myself, how can I truly be like a little child? Perhaps I could start off by loving like one. Not being afraid to love, to offer a hug, to jump into someone's arms. Even if I only spend 3 months with that person, loving them like Jesus loves me if anything could be more of a blessing to them than a pain to my own heart.
Does that make any sense?
I don't mean to be preachy, or to make anyone feel guilty. I deal with a touchy subject...one that I think every person just has to wrestle with themselves. With open hearts to what God wants to teach us...through His word, through others, through our experiences, I think we can learn so much. So look at the eyes, take time to just sit and think...
Happy Mother's day :)
Olivia
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
"Time is moving quickly..."
That, my friends, is a direct quote from none other than Jean-Romain (nickname: JR...has a need for speed, doesn't know how to say "no", you might know him...he's a pretty popular guy)! Time is moving quickly. Someone told me before I left that the first couple weeks would crawl by and the rest would fly. They were right. And in those first few crawly weeks I hoped they would be right (about the flying by) but now I remember their prediction with ire. Why do good things have to come to an end?
But see, God is teaching me something through this. Weeks ago I began to realize just how hard it is going to be for me to leave here at the end of May. But the Lord placed a command on my heart: "Be content wherever you are, whoever you are with, whatever you are doing. Be content because I am with you. Abide in Me."
Anyways, now onto all the news of goings-on in Libreville/Bongolo over the past several weeks! After our awesome team took off (we are still missing them!), Tim Brokopp hung around for another week. Towards the end of his stay he took Shannon, me, and two local pastors (Simone and Jean-Marc) back to PK-27 where we had constructed the four corner posts with the team. The corner posts are boundary markers for the plot of land that the C&MA Gabonese church has bought to build an airstrip, new Hope House, clinic...among other things. Very monumental! So the five of us trecked through jungle and country side to pull off the wooden post frames and carry them back to the cars. A mixture of stinging ants, sloshy mud, pouring sweat, beautiful trees, and good conversation made it a great morning! Even getting the big van stuck in a mud-rut added to the experience. Oh, and top all of that with a marriage proposal from an old guy with no teeth who obviously loves his beer more than he loves me.
The week before Easter we headed down to Bongolo but in two waves. Hannah, Alicia, and Shannon went down on public transportation with a visiting doctor. The next day Dan, Leanne, JR, and I took all of the Lewan's possessions in the Land Cruiser. Our ride took a turn towards eventful when we blew out a tire (not really a big surprise). Something else that wasn't very surprising is that the next car that drove by had passengers who know JR. So they stopped and changed the tire for us! After we thanked them and they drove off we all piled back in, turned the key, and...nothing. No lights, no battery, not engine. Twenty minutes later I literally thought we would have to get rides from missionaries in Bongolo and get a two truck. But God provided and guided JR's hand to a loose wire, which with a little duct tape was as good as new! "On the road again..."
Highlights from the week in Bongolo were seeing TWO surgeries, teaching ultimate spoons to a group of local boys, dying eggs, and a party at Lisa's (one of the American nurses) home with African residents, pastors, and the American missionaries.
Ok, surgery talk. Imagine being in full-body scrubs, PLUS sterile gowns, caps on your head, masks over your mouth and nose, 80 degrees (with AC), making do with the equipment and tools that you have to perform life or death, make or break surgeries. For over thirty years some of these missionaries have been doing this work for God's glory! And I admire the African residents who dedicate so much time to taking this ministry into their hands.
I have been very blessed to become friends with a group of high school guys here--I like to call them my "Bongolo Brothers" (although in French it would be, "Freres de Bongolo"...doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well). Along with teaching them ultimate spoons and Jenga, we had some interesting conversations. One of the conversations had to do with universities in Gabon and America. They told us that here in Gabon, when a person goes to the university they are expected to join something like a secret society. There are several of these, and they are very dark groups obviously deeply in the grasp of the Evil One. To be a member of a group you have to perform some pretty horrendous acts, but if you are in a group you will have no trouble getting a job after university. If you don't join a group...don't expect to be able to feed your family. Yes, I realize that a) some information is lost or not correctly communicated when these boys' English is only a bit better than my French and b) there could possibly be exaggeration among young people here concerning these matters. But I do know that secret societies as well as tribal and political groups are common throughout Gabon and could really be controlling underlying workings of life here. Things that would be illegal or heavily frowned upon in America are part of everyday life here. These boys asked for prayer that God, their Father, would provide for them to go to university in America. Yet again do I see how much God has blessed us with yes, a flawed, but also a very rewarding and functional education system in America.
We drove back to Libreville from Bongolo on Easter Saturday. For Easter we walked down to a little local C&MA church. The service lasted about 4 hours and was full of music--some you could dance to, some that made you want to raise your arms in worship. Oh, and I think I heard my first sermon that took text from the Old Testament, not just the New Testament... "Joyeaux Paques!" and "Bon Fete" were exchanged as we walked out of the church and proceeded to shake the hands of every member of the congregation (all gathered in a large circle). That afternoon we went with the (awesome!!) Straw family to Beach Burger for a late lunch, followed by a walk on the beach. We topped off the day with Magnum bars (I feel like these deserve a separate post...to come). So you mean you can celebrate Easter without baked ham, Easter candy, and "The Passion of the Christ"? Who would've thunk...and it was a pretty awesome day, too.
This last week has been my therapy week...I've needed to go to OSPAC every day to refill my cup of love from all my Mamas and Papas and brothers! Yesterday we had our first exam for the English class starting on May 9. Oh how I remember the good old days of tests...(please don't remind me I have four more years of them to look forward to). This morning I baked some chocolate-chip scones as we are going to celebrate (with Alace Straw) the Royal Wedding of Prince Whoever-whoever (what's his name again??) and his bride. No, we aren't desperate and no one here is British. We just love to hang out with Alace! Oh, and we like to party. Which, also tonight is a birthday party with OSPAC people for Hannah (aka The Laminator, my ex-roommate, fellow musical-nut).
I noticed that I promised in my last post from weeks ago to write again that week, which never happened. So no more promises from Olivia. But I DO promise to post again. :)
Really truly, I am excited to see all my USA family and friends again (I just also really love it here),
Oivia
But see, God is teaching me something through this. Weeks ago I began to realize just how hard it is going to be for me to leave here at the end of May. But the Lord placed a command on my heart: "Be content wherever you are, whoever you are with, whatever you are doing. Be content because I am with you. Abide in Me."
Anyways, now onto all the news of goings-on in Libreville/Bongolo over the past several weeks! After our awesome team took off (we are still missing them!), Tim Brokopp hung around for another week. Towards the end of his stay he took Shannon, me, and two local pastors (Simone and Jean-Marc) back to PK-27 where we had constructed the four corner posts with the team. The corner posts are boundary markers for the plot of land that the C&MA Gabonese church has bought to build an airstrip, new Hope House, clinic...among other things. Very monumental! So the five of us trecked through jungle and country side to pull off the wooden post frames and carry them back to the cars. A mixture of stinging ants, sloshy mud, pouring sweat, beautiful trees, and good conversation made it a great morning! Even getting the big van stuck in a mud-rut added to the experience. Oh, and top all of that with a marriage proposal from an old guy with no teeth who obviously loves his beer more than he loves me.
The week before Easter we headed down to Bongolo but in two waves. Hannah, Alicia, and Shannon went down on public transportation with a visiting doctor. The next day Dan, Leanne, JR, and I took all of the Lewan's possessions in the Land Cruiser. Our ride took a turn towards eventful when we blew out a tire (not really a big surprise). Something else that wasn't very surprising is that the next car that drove by had passengers who know JR. So they stopped and changed the tire for us! After we thanked them and they drove off we all piled back in, turned the key, and...nothing. No lights, no battery, not engine. Twenty minutes later I literally thought we would have to get rides from missionaries in Bongolo and get a two truck. But God provided and guided JR's hand to a loose wire, which with a little duct tape was as good as new! "On the road again..."
Highlights from the week in Bongolo were seeing TWO surgeries, teaching ultimate spoons to a group of local boys, dying eggs, and a party at Lisa's (one of the American nurses) home with African residents, pastors, and the American missionaries.
Ok, surgery talk. Imagine being in full-body scrubs, PLUS sterile gowns, caps on your head, masks over your mouth and nose, 80 degrees (with AC), making do with the equipment and tools that you have to perform life or death, make or break surgeries. For over thirty years some of these missionaries have been doing this work for God's glory! And I admire the African residents who dedicate so much time to taking this ministry into their hands.
I have been very blessed to become friends with a group of high school guys here--I like to call them my "Bongolo Brothers" (although in French it would be, "Freres de Bongolo"...doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well). Along with teaching them ultimate spoons and Jenga, we had some interesting conversations. One of the conversations had to do with universities in Gabon and America. They told us that here in Gabon, when a person goes to the university they are expected to join something like a secret society. There are several of these, and they are very dark groups obviously deeply in the grasp of the Evil One. To be a member of a group you have to perform some pretty horrendous acts, but if you are in a group you will have no trouble getting a job after university. If you don't join a group...don't expect to be able to feed your family. Yes, I realize that a) some information is lost or not correctly communicated when these boys' English is only a bit better than my French and b) there could possibly be exaggeration among young people here concerning these matters. But I do know that secret societies as well as tribal and political groups are common throughout Gabon and could really be controlling underlying workings of life here. Things that would be illegal or heavily frowned upon in America are part of everyday life here. These boys asked for prayer that God, their Father, would provide for them to go to university in America. Yet again do I see how much God has blessed us with yes, a flawed, but also a very rewarding and functional education system in America.
We drove back to Libreville from Bongolo on Easter Saturday. For Easter we walked down to a little local C&MA church. The service lasted about 4 hours and was full of music--some you could dance to, some that made you want to raise your arms in worship. Oh, and I think I heard my first sermon that took text from the Old Testament, not just the New Testament... "Joyeaux Paques!" and "Bon Fete" were exchanged as we walked out of the church and proceeded to shake the hands of every member of the congregation (all gathered in a large circle). That afternoon we went with the (awesome!!) Straw family to Beach Burger for a late lunch, followed by a walk on the beach. We topped off the day with Magnum bars (I feel like these deserve a separate post...to come). So you mean you can celebrate Easter without baked ham, Easter candy, and "The Passion of the Christ"? Who would've thunk...and it was a pretty awesome day, too.
This last week has been my therapy week...I've needed to go to OSPAC every day to refill my cup of love from all my Mamas and Papas and brothers! Yesterday we had our first exam for the English class starting on May 9. Oh how I remember the good old days of tests...(please don't remind me I have four more years of them to look forward to). This morning I baked some chocolate-chip scones as we are going to celebrate (with Alace Straw) the Royal Wedding of Prince Whoever-whoever (what's his name again??) and his bride. No, we aren't desperate and no one here is British. We just love to hang out with Alace! Oh, and we like to party. Which, also tonight is a birthday party with OSPAC people for Hannah (aka The Laminator, my ex-roommate, fellow musical-nut).
I noticed that I promised in my last post from weeks ago to write again that week, which never happened. So no more promises from Olivia. But I DO promise to post again. :)
Really truly, I am excited to see all my USA family and friends again (I just also really love it here),
Oivia
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
So I started writing up a post in the middle of the week, fully intending to finish it up the next day, but it just never happened. Dern, the opening paragraph was so awesome, too.
First off, our new intern, Shannon, is here! She has now been here for one week and four days (and will be leaving in five weeks). We are rooming together on the first floor of the house (SUPER AWESOME element is that we have a bathroom in our room!!) and have had lots of fun getting to know each other! I don't know why, but sharing a room with a stranger in 100 degree weather, sweating like a pig, falling over exhausted at night...plus add in a few silly midnight convos (after chocolate dessert) makes rooming fun!
This past week we had a team from Fellowship Alliance Church come out for seven days. Let me tell you, spending a week with 12 oldish men (not old, but all married fathers) is a blast! Not only were these men willing to let God work on their hearts, but they were hard workers (even when it came to washing dishes), flexible with the schedule, embracing of the Gabonese, interested in getting to know the staff here, and humble enough to ask questions. It was awesome to see God change a group of people's hearts and minds in seven days.
So some of the guys on the team spent a lot of the week working (construction-wise) on the guest house (in process) at CFTAC (the CMA headquarters). A few of the men are medical professionals and spent most of their days doing consultations at the clinics (OSPAC and Snee). I loved experiencing all the things we did with the team, but one of the most enriching experiences for me personally was getting to sit in on the consultations. For one, what these men were doing is potentially what I could be doing someday in terms of healthcare in third-world countries. What made the experience even cooler is that both Brian (a physician's assistant) and Dr. Mike would explain cases, medicines, etc. etc. to me and others sitting in the consultation (oh yeah, have I mentioned there is not such thing as HIPPA here?).
Ok, crazy story. On one of the medical days...I think Tuesday, I was working in the morning at OSPAC with Brian and Tim (used to run Envision center, grew up in Gabon, speaks fluent French...aka translator). We were extremely backed up with patients by 1 in the afternoon (oh yeah, they announced at the two biggest CMA churches in LBV that there were American doctors in town and where you could find them during the week) so Dr. Mike came over from Snee to help us get all of the patient seen. But with Tim in translating for Brian, the only person Dr. Mike had for translation was Pastor Jacob (of Nzeng Ayong church). Pastor Jacob (the most amazing man in the world, btw!!) speaks a little English, but not enough to do full medical translations. So I was sent in to sit in on Dr. Mike's consultations and for the next two hours worked with Pastor Jacob to translate!! Let's just say that the experience was...insane. And draining. And awesome. I have never been so aware of how crappy my French is, how important it is to me to learn it, and how thankful I am that God had me take a semester of French before I came here. Yeah, I don't speak very well, but I was literally able to help translate a doctor's crazy medical talk to the patient and the patient's stories and questions to the doc. !!!
So yes, excitement, but it only happened once. After that afternoon I told Hannah that she should do the translation for the rest of the medical days, just because she speaks better than I do and the process would move along faster. On Thursday OSPAC had a mobile clinic to a village about an hour's drive east of Libreville. We saw about forty patients, mostly elderly, with all sorts of ailments ranging from cancer to malaria to eye problems. On Friday we spent a chunk of the day putting up concrete posts in the jungle (the region is called PK 27). The four corner posts mark out the property that the CMA church has purchased and, way into the future, will be a compound where pastors will live, the Hope House will move to, probably some medical stuff...all sorts of awesome things for the future of CMA Gabon. Yes, it was probably the hottest day of the week and a few of our guys probably verged on getting heat strokes, but it was so cool to lay down the beginnings of this huge project!
I wish I could tell ya'll about everything that happened, all the memories, but my wrists hurt and I realize that some of these memories are just going to have to be precious to me and the people I've shared them with.
I promise to write again this week, God is doing so much in Gabon and in my life and I just want the world to know how amazing He is!! Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Even though I can't express it very well, I am truly, truly thankful.
Love in a glove,
Olivia
First off, our new intern, Shannon, is here! She has now been here for one week and four days (and will be leaving in five weeks). We are rooming together on the first floor of the house (SUPER AWESOME element is that we have a bathroom in our room!!) and have had lots of fun getting to know each other! I don't know why, but sharing a room with a stranger in 100 degree weather, sweating like a pig, falling over exhausted at night...plus add in a few silly midnight convos (after chocolate dessert) makes rooming fun!
This past week we had a team from Fellowship Alliance Church come out for seven days. Let me tell you, spending a week with 12 oldish men (not old, but all married fathers) is a blast! Not only were these men willing to let God work on their hearts, but they were hard workers (even when it came to washing dishes), flexible with the schedule, embracing of the Gabonese, interested in getting to know the staff here, and humble enough to ask questions. It was awesome to see God change a group of people's hearts and minds in seven days.
So some of the guys on the team spent a lot of the week working (construction-wise) on the guest house (in process) at CFTAC (the CMA headquarters). A few of the men are medical professionals and spent most of their days doing consultations at the clinics (OSPAC and Snee). I loved experiencing all the things we did with the team, but one of the most enriching experiences for me personally was getting to sit in on the consultations. For one, what these men were doing is potentially what I could be doing someday in terms of healthcare in third-world countries. What made the experience even cooler is that both Brian (a physician's assistant) and Dr. Mike would explain cases, medicines, etc. etc. to me and others sitting in the consultation (oh yeah, have I mentioned there is not such thing as HIPPA here?).
Ok, crazy story. On one of the medical days...I think Tuesday, I was working in the morning at OSPAC with Brian and Tim (used to run Envision center, grew up in Gabon, speaks fluent French...aka translator). We were extremely backed up with patients by 1 in the afternoon (oh yeah, they announced at the two biggest CMA churches in LBV that there were American doctors in town and where you could find them during the week) so Dr. Mike came over from Snee to help us get all of the patient seen. But with Tim in translating for Brian, the only person Dr. Mike had for translation was Pastor Jacob (of Nzeng Ayong church). Pastor Jacob (the most amazing man in the world, btw!!) speaks a little English, but not enough to do full medical translations. So I was sent in to sit in on Dr. Mike's consultations and for the next two hours worked with Pastor Jacob to translate!! Let's just say that the experience was...insane. And draining. And awesome. I have never been so aware of how crappy my French is, how important it is to me to learn it, and how thankful I am that God had me take a semester of French before I came here. Yeah, I don't speak very well, but I was literally able to help translate a doctor's crazy medical talk to the patient and the patient's stories and questions to the doc. !!!
So yes, excitement, but it only happened once. After that afternoon I told Hannah that she should do the translation for the rest of the medical days, just because she speaks better than I do and the process would move along faster. On Thursday OSPAC had a mobile clinic to a village about an hour's drive east of Libreville. We saw about forty patients, mostly elderly, with all sorts of ailments ranging from cancer to malaria to eye problems. On Friday we spent a chunk of the day putting up concrete posts in the jungle (the region is called PK 27). The four corner posts mark out the property that the CMA church has purchased and, way into the future, will be a compound where pastors will live, the Hope House will move to, probably some medical stuff...all sorts of awesome things for the future of CMA Gabon. Yes, it was probably the hottest day of the week and a few of our guys probably verged on getting heat strokes, but it was so cool to lay down the beginnings of this huge project!
I wish I could tell ya'll about everything that happened, all the memories, but my wrists hurt and I realize that some of these memories are just going to have to be precious to me and the people I've shared them with.
I promise to write again this week, God is doing so much in Gabon and in my life and I just want the world to know how amazing He is!! Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Even though I can't express it very well, I am truly, truly thankful.
Love in a glove,
Olivia
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